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By rdnewsNOW staff

Provincial Politics

Alberta and Yukon announce new partnership for economic cooperation

Jul 23, 2025 | 12:56 PM

Alberta and the Yukon say they have committed to removing barriers so goods, services, workers and opportunity can flow freely across borders.

Premier Danielle Smith and Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday to expand economic cooperation while attending the Council of the Federation meeting in Huntsville, Ontario.

Government officials say the agreement will help Alberta businesses sell more goods and services into the Yukon, while giving Yukon companies new opportunities to access Alberta’s growing markets and invest in the province.

Both jurisdictions say they will identify ways to align certification, licensing and registration for regulated occupations while increasing opportunities for apprentices and skilled workers to grow their careers across jurisdictions.

“Canada’s premiers are making it our collective goal to knock down the barriers that have been holding back our workers and our economies for far too long,” exclaims Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta. “This agreement is the latest in a new era of cooperation that will see Canada’s provinces and territories unleash the full potential of our provincial, territorial and national economies. Alberta looks forward to working with the Yukon through this agreement to build a more adaptable and competitive labour market and economy so that Albertans and Yukoners can share in prosperity together.”

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“The Yukon is proud to support Team Canada efforts to reduce barriers to trade, investment and labour mobility, creating new economic opportunities here at home and across the country,” adds Mike Pemberton, Premier of the Yukon. “This agreement builds on work the Yukon has already done to reduce red tape across the territory and it strengthens our long-standing economic and labour cooperation with Alberta. We look forward to accelerating that work to make it easier to do business across our jurisdictions – for the benefit of Yukoners and Albertans alike.”

The province says ongoing work under this new agreement will also acknowledge the vital role of First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities in advancing economic opportunity. Officials say it will align with the core principles and spirit of the Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and other existing partnerships that aim to remove internal trade barriers and support long-term economic growth, stability and prosperity Canada-wide.

Alberta government quick facts

• In 2017, Alberta and the Yukon signed an MOU for Apprenticeship Technical Training Seats. The MOU allows Yukon apprentices to participate in classroom instruction in Alberta and ensures common training between Yukon and Alberta apprentices.
• In 2019, Alberta:
  • Removed 21 of its original 27 exceptions, including all procurement exceptions, representing 80 per cent of Alberta’s exceptions under the CFTA at the time.
  • Narrowed the scope of two of its retained exceptions to enhance Alberta’s open and competitive liquor market and better align with the regulatory framework for Alberta’s forestry sector.
• In 2023, Alberta proclaimed the Labour Mobility Act, which makes it faster and easier for Canadians moving to Alberta to have their credentials recognized.
• On July 8, the Yukon removed five of its party-specific exceptions under the CFTA as part of its phased approach to significantly reduce the Yukon’s total number of exceptions.